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Luxury Simplified Feature – September 2016

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Kaminer Haislip, Silversmith : The Marriage Of Function And Form

By Holly Roberson, Realtor, Broker Associate, Luxury Simplified Real Estate

Kaminer Haislip, one of the great silversmiths of our era, had just popped around from her studio at Redux when we met up last week. We took our tea and mineral water to the courtyard at Kudu Coffee, a favorite local watering spot. Immediately after her first sip, I started with the questions. I had a lot that I wanted to ask her, but I had honed the list to a mere six dozen. But first, I had to know why she became a silversmith. Relentless curiosity demands satisfaction.
Her handiwork should have give the biggest clue to what I now see so clearly. Kaminer Haslip must daily marry function to form. It’s how she seamlessly streamlines the world around us. She happens to do this with precious metals.

A true master silversmith, she studied her craft under internationally acclaimed English silversmith Alfred Ward. She knows historic and modern silver techniques. From her time with me, I could write an entire blog on how colonial America forged its own silver style and call it “the melding pot” of American smithing. That’s for another day.

Beginning her path to mastery sculpture inspired her first step. This hammer and anvil wielding porcelain doll began by tinkering in her family’s hardware store. Then, she took a shop class in Aiken, SC. When it was time to pick up a blowtorch, her classmates, well-mannered southern men, all offered to do that dirty work for her. She donned a mask, wielded her torch, and persisted in her labors until a sculpture was born. After all, she had to figure out how to marry function to form. And she most definitely has. Check out her instagram for even more details on the “how.”

It’s no surprise that her drive for seamless function and beauty has attracted attention. She designed and personally makes the most perfectly southern silver magnolia bowl for Reese Witherspoon’s lifestyle company, Draper James. Her coffeepot woke up judges during Garden and Gun’s 3rd annual prestigious Made in the South Award. She is internationally known. Her designs grace many a wish list (I want the magnolia bowl). The list goes on … and on.

A rising southern star with feet firmly planted on Charleston SC streets, Kaminer does what Charleston herself does, she adds her contemporary touch while preserving the historic framework.

NOTE: Want to learn more about the history of silversmithing, why a Charleston rice spoon is 14” long, what silver polish is best, how to tell the age or your silver, or the process of the design? Let us know because we will be compiling a guest list to spend an evening with Kaminer and cohorts as they answer all our silver questions.

Charleston Mercury – May 2014

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Charleston Mercury: Art & Culture

Creative Women Who Design Successful Business Niches in Charleston

By Baron Christopher Hanson


Kaminer Haislip
Something more authentically charming is emerging from within Charleston’s creative manufacturing circles: Women-owned businesses thriving regionally and nationally based on their advanced style, fine art, distinctive production methods –– and smarter work.

From jewelry to painting, from mapmaking and metalwork, here are four leading Lowcountry ladies explaining how and why they, and perhaps so many other entrepreneurs, are building their creative companies here in the Holy City.

Our discussions and insights included each of their backgrounds, what it’s like to design or produce something often by-hand, and what challenges they might face as businesswomen and mothers.

What I immediately discovered is that each of these ladies has a deep passion for what they do, including a relevant education backing up their vocations and values. Unlike other cities, Charleston seems to offer them the work-life balance they need.

Kaminer Haislip Designer + Silversmith

Address: Redux Contemporary Art Center, Saint Philip Street, Charleston, SC 29403
Hometown: Aiken, SC
Education: Winthrop University, BFA Jewelry and Metals, MFA Silversmithing
Website: http://www.KaminerHaislip.com/

Kaminer is a contemporary silversmith who designs and handcrafts work in a downtown Charleston, SC studio. Her work includes functional objects, jewelry, and custom commission pieces in silver and gold.

Nine years ago, Kaminer graduated from her MFA program. Since, she has worked steadily to build her small jewelry and silversmithing business, albeit with some challenges.

“The most challenging aspect of my work has been creating and building a business out of it. Both of my art degrees taught me everything about being a creative and individual thinker, but the business side of it I had to figure out all on my own along the way. Many hard lessons have been learned about pricing, expenses, invoices, accounting, and marketing.”

How did you get your business off the ground?

“I set up my studio at Redux Contemporary Art Center, which has happened over time due to the enormous expense of equipment. Slowly I have purchased and acquired various, necessary tools and machines to create my work.

What mentors have impacted your business?

“I am fortunate to have found such an incredible mentor in my professor Alf Ward, and I have had unwavering support from my family and husband Matt.

How have you grown your business beyond Charleston?

“By pursuing different locations and types of exhibitions, my work has been exposed to a much wider audience outside of Charleston, and outside the Southeast.”

Her silver and gold works have been displayed in museums, galleries, art centers, competitions, and trade shows in 14 different states, and internationally in three countries. On April 29, 2014 she received the Samuel Gaillard Stoney Craftsmanship Award from Historic Charleston Foundation.

Kaminer sincerely loves what she does, despite the obstacles. She is also very passionate about advocating for hand-made craftsmanship, because the passion for handcrafted objects is also becoming rare.

“For me, it has always been about designing and making objects that will far outlast me. It is incredibly rewarding to draw something from your imagination on a piece of paper and then realize it three dimensionally utilizing similar techniques that have been used for centuries.”

Baron Christopher Hanson is the principal of RedBaron Advisors, a growth strategy, communication design, and PR firm, based in Charleston, South Carolina, serving clients from Washington DC to Palm Beach, Florida. Baron can be reached via (843) 641-0331, or via RedBaronUSA.com.

The entire article can be viewed at http://www.charlestonmercury.com/index.php/en/art-and-culture/271-creative-women-who-design-successful-niches-in-charleston.